Bike Tyres Guide

Your bike tyres are your contact point with the road, choose them well.

Whether clincher, tubular or tubeless, there's a tyre for you out there; make sure you choose the right one for your rides.

The right bike tyres make the ride

Road cycling tyres are a regular purchase that you’ll keep buying throughout your cycling years. The demand for bike tyres is a constant thing, so it’s best that we make sure we’re buying the right ones.

With this Bike Tyres Guide, you'll know all about the different types of tyres and which one you need to suit your riding style as best as possible.

Tubular Tyres vs Clincher Tyres vs Tubeless Tyres

The same as wheels, tyres also come in clincher and tubular, and you can learn more about the differences between clincher and tubular tyres here .

Again, as with wheels, you can get yourself a tubeless tyre. Tubeless bike tyres work, as you’d imagine, without an inner tube, and can be a really efficient way to ride.

Bike Tyre Sizing and Widths

If you’re wondering whether a certain tyre will fit on your bike, then a good rule of thumb to go by is that a regular road wheel size is 700c, which will feature a width of 23mm, 25mm or 28mm (there are other, less common widths, but these are the widths generally used to cover a range of cycling styles). The thinner the width, the faster you can go, while the thicker the width, the more stability you’ll have.

Think about the type of riding you’ll be doing before you purchase your bike tyres.If you’re a speed demon who just wants to go fast, climb easy and doesn't mind skimping on comfort and stability, then a 25 mm or 23 mm tyre will be the best option for you. If you’re likely to cross rough terrain (not mud obviously, but debris covered roads, cobbles etc.) then a thicker tyre with a bigger width could be an option, as long as your aims aren't to race or go as fast as possible. A thicker tyre can also be beneficial in winter due to the unpredictable nature of the terrain, and for commuters who may cross different urbanised/rural ground types.

Recommended Tyres

If you’re choosing clincher tyres, a solid choice is the Continental Grand Prix 4000s II, it’s a favourite for cyclists because of its super fast speed and its grip. What also makes this a special bike tyre is its patented BlackChili rubber compound which helps to increase grip and mileage.